Bassem Youssef’s sudden disappearance from X coincided with the announcement from Saudi Arabia’s MBC channel that he would be joining the judging panel for the popular show, Arabs Got Talent. This led many to point fingers at Turki Al-Sheikh and Saudi money, accusing them of “silencing” Youssef, who is well-known for his outspoken criticism of the Israeli military and its settlement practices. It’s worth noting that the rest of Youssef’s “archive” remains available and accessible “everywhere.”

Youssef’s disappearance from X was interpreted by some as an attempt to erase his history of criticizing Israel, especially considering Saudi Arabia’s restrictions on publicly displaying the Palestinian flag at celebratory events, with reports of arrests for doing so. This coincided with an online campaign that targeted Youssef with insults and accusations ranging from betrayal to being a “Zionist sympathizer.”

Youssef has been accused of being a “sellout,” amid rumors of a huge paycheck for his participation in the talent show. However, he suddenly reappeared on X and explained his absence as being due to the pressures he has been facing. He also posted a satirical video in which he mockingly talked about “winning the Anti-Semite of the Week Award,” in a jab at the organization StopAntisemitism, which frequently accuses critics of Israel, including Youssef, of antisemitism—all without mentioning his new job.

Youssef concluded the video by promoting his comedy shows, which are being sold across the U.S., and mentioned that he will be filming a performance in Los Angeles to be aired later on an unknown platform—perhaps Netflix, YouTube, or even his personal account, much like comedian Louis C.K. In a way, Bassem Youssef is now venturing into content production, mastering the art of comedic Reels, similar to comedian Andrew Schulz, which has catapulted him to widespread fame.

Bassem is navigating between two markets: the first being the American market, where he’s emerging as a stand-up comedian, and the other being the Saudi-Emirati market. But the question remains—how does he position himself in the latter’s landscape? As a comedian? An activist? A public figure? Or as a satirical TV host?

These questions arise because Saudi money seems intent on containing “everyone,” as long as they avoid crossing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s policies! Turki Al-Sheikh has announced that the Riyadh season’s fifth installment will kick off on October 12, 2024—just five days after the one-year anniversary of October 7. The question now is: Will Bassem Youssef participate in the opening? And is there a clause in his contract with MBC that obligates him to do so?

Bassem Youssef: the Survivor of Defeat

Bassem Youssef, the doctor-turned-satirical TV host, first vanished from the media scene after fleeing Egypt to the United States in 2014, following a series of charges leveled against him by the Egyptian regime. This resulted in his “disappearance” from the media and entertainment world, as he claimed he had “said enough about Egypt,” believing it was less courageous to speak from abroad.

Before his strong return to the media spotlight after October 7, Youssef appeared in various contexts. In interviews, he shared the difficulties he faced in the U.S., especially in finding work and mastering the English language. We watched him move between platforms and repeat presentation styles, seemingly trying to re-enter the entertainment industry by cleverly (or opportunistically, according to some) seizing whatever opportunities came his way.

Youssef represents a model of survival after the defeat of the Arab Spring. He’s the revolutionary/critic who found himself exiled and without a job—neither fully American, nor accepted back by the Egyptian regime. He now straddles two audiences: one Arab, and the other Western. Herein lies the paradox: Bassem Youssef plays on the differences in freedom of expression depending on the country, always justifying his actions by saying he just wants to work. And “work,” in this context, involves making strategic compromises and knowing when to tread carefully—an approach that can be summarized as working without angering the boss.

Bassem Youssef: The Muscular “Green” Influencer

Bassem Youssef has rebranded himself as a “green” influencer who advocates for healthy eating and fitness, frequently showcasing his physical strength on social media. In one of his Youtube videos, he promotes the influencer Sarah the Iraqi, calling her the “pride of the Arabs,” even though her content is mostly limited to cooking and showcasing her physique. A quick glance at her OnlyFans account reveals nothing more than photos of her in sportswear.

“Green Bassem,” the vegan advocate, has found a home for himself in the UAE, where he’s appeared in commercials for greenhouse-grown tomatoes as part of the “UAE—Nothing is Impossible” campaign. He has also performed several stand-up comedy shows on stage, aiming to push boundaries beyond television censorship.

Youssef is capitalizing on the UAE’s adrenaline-filled ventures to establish a presence in the “new market” represented by the Gulf states, following their supposed openness and the diminishing role of traditional cultural and media production capitals in the Arab world, like Beirut, Damascus, and Cairo.

In the Gulf, Bassem Youssef remains neutral—an influencer unaffected by the Abraham Accords, the war in Yemen, or the normalization with the Syrian regime. Bassem Youssef, the “green” influencer, has no interest in internal politics. He’s simply looking for adventure, work, and a platform to flex his muscles in front of the camera.

Bassem Youssef: Defender of Egyptian Identity

Bassem Youssef made a clear return to the spotlight through his appearance on Piers Morgan’s show in the U.S. before October 7, as he discussed the controversy surrounding Netflix’s documentary on Cleopatra. Youssef harshly criticized the documentary for allegedly distorting Egyptian identity in favor of an “invented African identity” (Afrocentrism). He entered into the heart of America’s identity politics, in which Egyptians have found themselves victims. Youssef boldly proclaimed, “They’re stealing my culture!”

During this interview, Youssef’s activism shone through as he referenced the 1963 Cleopatra film, in which Elizabeth Taylor portrayed the Macedonian queen. He pointed out that the film had been banned in some Arab countries due to Taylor’s support for Israel. Youssef also mentioned Gal Gadot, who had been cast to play Cleopatra in a new film, criticizing the choice because Gadot is “white” and “does not denounce Israel’s actions against Palestinians.”

Bassem Youssef is undeniably proud of his Egyptian identity, but Egypt no longer plays a central role in his public discourse, which is understandable given his new American identity. Youssef seems to have found that identity politics in the U.S. offers an entry point into public debates, as identity categorization is a hot issue. However, his political critiques mostly emerge when he is in the U.S., where he often repeats his criticism of Israel.

Bassem Youssef: The American Stand-up Comedian!

Before October 7, Youssef had begun to build a career as a stand-up comedian, a journey he frequently discusses, even during his shows in Europe and the U.S. He often jokes about his life as an immigrant, and following his fame after the viral Piers Morgan interview, he made it clear that his comedy would not focus on Gaza or the war but on his personal immigrant experience. Youssef even had a minor role in the Netflix series “Mo,” which follows the life of a second-generation Palestinian immigrant.

Youssef has enjoyed significant support from Jon Stewart, the godfather of political satire in the U.S., who has been backing Youssef since his time in Egypt. Youssef even helped present Stewart with the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2022, sharing stories about how Stewart encouraged him to start “Al-Bernameg.” In a way, Youssef is striving to join the ranks of famous comedians, having earned the blessing of one of the most renowned.

An analysis of Youssef’s career in the U.S. reveals a clever approach to managing opportunities. His occasional disappearances and reappearances seem to be part of a strategy for seizing the right moments. After his interview with Piers Morgan, Youssef disappeared for a while, only to reemerge, emphasizing that he didn’t want to be seen as an activist but merely as a comedian. From the U.S., he directs his sharpest criticisms at Israel, as evidenced by his appearance on the podcast “Sarde After Dinner” where he regained attention in the Arab world while maintaining his presence in the U.S.

Youssef’s return to fame in the Arab world and his rising profile in the U.S. as a comedian seem to move along parallel tracks. He performs shows in Arabic, while also walking on the same path as new-age American comedians. He moves between two markets: he performs Arabic shows and promotes the UAE, while also catering to the American market, where his popularity soared after October 7. His performances are often sold out.

Youssef has also immersed himself in the world of Instagram reels and podcasting, taking part in discussions about Palestine and positioning himself as an American citizen trying to expose Israel’s exploitation of the U.S., even calling America “Israel’s dog” that “blindly obeys Netanyahu.”

Youssef’s growing fame in the U.S. podcasting world follows two distinct paths. On one hand, he appears on shows associated with the right or even far-right, such as his controversial appearance on the Valuetainment podcast, where Youssef’s noticeable silence or “sleepiness” became the subject of critique. He later explained that he wasn’t aware of the host’s political background and was suffering from jet lag at the time, which left him looking drowsy. On the other hand, he has also appeared on podcasts like Lex Fridman’s, where he claimed not to align with the right or left. Yet Fridman’s podcast has been described as a “safe space for critics of political correctness.”

In contrast to these serious interviews, Youssef also appeared on a podcast with the popular and somewhat naive comedian Theo Von, where Youssef seemed to give Von (and by extension the American audience) a lesson in history. He discussed the role of the Zionist lobby in the U.S. and spoke as an American citizen trying to raise awareness, as if he were conducting a political campaign of sorts.

With stand-up performances and appearances on podcasts spanning the political spectrum, Bassem Youssef is navigating the world of comedy while advancing his career. He offers Arab audiences what they want—a sharp voice against Israel that carefully avoids criticism of Egyptian President Sisi. Meanwhile, for the American audience, he’s an emerging comedian with a mixed identity, serious political opinions, and jokes about life in America. After all, he’s now an American citizen who critiques his own country from within. 

Youssef’s strategy has become clear—he operates at the edges of what’s acceptable in each country, subtly pushing boundaries while carefully avoiding the full wrath of his employers.